Fox All Mountain Suspension Gets Official with Updated 34 Talas and New Float X Air Shock

posted by Zach Overholt - April 15, 2013 - 1pm EDT

Amidst plenty of speculation and spy shots, it seemed that it was no secret Fox has been working on aggressive new suspension. Designed for the buzz worthy AM/Enduro category that has captured the attention of the mountain biking audience, the cat is officially out of the bag in the form of a revised 34 TALAS fork and the all new Float X CTD rear air shock. Each of the new suspension components are specifically designed to keep the wheels glued to the trail when things get gnarly – all without a major weight penalty.

Just how light are the new parts? Check it, next.

Thanks to a completely redesigned TALAS platform, the 160-130mm travel adjust (up from the previous 160-120mm) TALAS may become a favorite once again. In order to improve handling and offer the buttery travel other Fox forks are known for, the TALAS system uses an air spring that is mated to a hydraulic travel adjuster that is said to offer quick, crisp changes between travel settings. The new TALAS system will be offered across the board for all 2014 forks. CTD tune for the 34 TALAS has been updated as well, offering more control in each mode in order to better handle the rigors of All Mountain shredding.

Maybe the most impressive part of the new fork is that all of the improvements resulted in an even lighter weight than the current 34 TALAS dropping around 100 grams for a total weight of 4.33 lbs for a 26″ fork!

FOX FACTORY 34 TALAS CTD w/ Trail Adjust 160

New TALAS travel adjuster

160mm/130mm travel range

3 on-the-fly settings with Climb/Trail/Descend

Trail Adjust tuning range (0, 1, 2)

Air spring pressure

Rebound

15QR thru axle

26” and 27.5” wheel options

4.33 lbs. / 1,964 g (26”)

Already spotted on a few Pro’s bikes, the all new Float X CTD looks to be the evolution of the air shock. After years of offering the DHX Air, Float X brings piggy back reservoirs to a more pedal friendly friendly application. The reservoir allows for an increased oil volume with dual piston damping to keep things responsive, but consistent as the heat builds in the shock.

Mounted nice and wide on the shock body, the CTD lever allows riders to easily change their tune while riding. Like the 34 TALAS, in addition to the Climb Trail Descend modes, there is an additional Trail Adjust tuning range from 0-2.

Comments

Pike comes with 35mm uppers, and a lighter weight: 26” at 1835g (4.05 lb), the 27.5” at 1861g (4.10 lb), and the 29” at 1876g (4.14 lb). I think RockShox wins this one.

dude - 04/15/13 - 4:35pm

Nice stuff. Just keep in mind that lighter forks require more maintenance. Fox forks are light due in part to the fact that that they have very little oil in them, hence the 30 hour oil change service intervals.

Mindless - 04/15/13 - 4:36pm

And all other suspension products are designed to throw you off the bike?

Schraeder valve on the reservoir???????? or a Needle??? I can’t see how it works in any picture… I just hope it’s user Friendly.

ccolagio - 04/15/13 - 5:48pm

how can you make such insane/broad generalizations like “lighter forks require more maintenance”

@al boneta – i dont think you understand mtb forks. the CTD line offers…LESS adjustments to be made easier for users…

Ty - 04/15/13 - 6:19pm

@dude, you might want to rethink that one. Most forks I know of have around the same recommended service interval, which has nothing to do with the amount of oil in the damper, or weight of the fork.

Bayard - 04/15/13 - 8:44pm

Service intervals? You are over thinking it man. Just ride it until it doesn’t feel right. 1 year warranty right?

dude - 04/15/13 - 9:19pm

Whateva…I rode my old marzocchi z1 for 5 years without changing the oil and it worked perfectly- try that with a fox fork and you will burn a hole through the stanchions.

satisFACTORYrider - 04/16/13 - 1:38am

Monarch plus rc3>float x. I’d bet money.

gringo - 04/16/13 - 2:27am

_Al Boneta: if these are ‘too complicated’ then I would say you are part of the problem. if you consistently miss the chance to educate your consumers, then it means Fox and RS must sell and market dumbed down suspension components for the rest of the world.

I know I am not the only one who misses the RP23….

bin judgin - 04/16/13 - 1:32pm

fox stanchion wear is kind of ridiculous on the non-kash tubes from 2011-2012. that sh!t wears out in no time. seen it on 10-15 forks at my job in NO time. also seen 2008 rebas that take 5-10cc of fluid in the lowers come back completely blown out with sludge for oil and they have no wear.

fox, pull it together.

rockshox, you have pulled it together. thought i never would have seen the day! MONARCH PLUS, KID!

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